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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary.

Cardiff University vs Lancaster University at a glance

Cardiff University and Lancaster University both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Lancaster University is about £2,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Lancaster University is about £1,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 10 and Lancaster University in 8, with 9 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,500 from Lancaster University. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and Cardiff University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#179
QS World
#164
#201
THE World
#184
#34
Guardian UK
#10
1883
Established
1964
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

Lancaster University

86.3%
88.5%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£36,100
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22.4%

International

International student share

362
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
11

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

55 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Cardiff University

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, English Literature, Biological Sciences (General), Management, Philosophy, Accounting, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Psychology (General), Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Geography (General), History, Software Engineering, Statistics, Business Studies, English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Building & Construction, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Lancaster University

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Cardiff University
£30,700
Lancaster University
£28,680

Lancaster University is about £2,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Lancaster University
£24,300

Lancaster University is about £1,650 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Cardiff University

Lancaster University

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    70%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction68%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    73%Satisfaction76%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Lancaster University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Lancaster University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Lancaster University is about £2,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Lancaster University is about £1,650 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Cardiff University and Lancaster University?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Economics, Linguistics and 43 more.

Is Cardiff University or Lancaster University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £29,500 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Cardiff University and 89% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Lancaster University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Lancaster University?

Cardiff University teaches 31 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Social Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Music, Planning & Housing and 23 more.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Cardiff University?

Lancaster University teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Operational Research, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses